Toy detonating unit



Oct. 11, 1966 J. w. RYAN TOY DETONATING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July18, 1963 JOHN W FK M/ INVENTOR.

Oct. 11, 1966 J. w. RYAN TOY DETONATING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July18, 1963 R 0 mm M y E QM M W m N N M W United States Patent 3,277,603TOY DETONATING UNIT John W. Ryan, 688 Nimes Road, Bel Air, Calif. FiledJuly 18, 1963, Ser. No. 295,923 10 Claims. (Cl. 46196) In general, thepresent invention relates to a simple, inexpensive toy detonating unitadapted to fire an explosive charge, such as a stack of caps. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a toy detonating unitwhose trigger means is adapted to operate either instantaneously orafter a predetermined period of time.

There is known in the prior art a variety of devices for detonatingexplosive charges, such as caps. A common example of such devices is theusual cap gun. However, such prior art toy detonating units have beendesigned to operate in a very specific manner and such manner is usuallythe intentional operation of the device by the user of the device, e.g., pulling the trigger of the gun. Thus, such prior art devices are notadapted to operate in response to very slight forces on the triggermechanism. For example, the prior art toy detonating units are usuallynot suitable for operation on an accidental basis, e.g., initiation ofthe operation by pulling of a trip wire.

#In addition, the usual prior art toy detonating units normally haveonly one means for operating their trigger mechanism. Such means usuallyinvolve the direct operation of the trigger mechanism to cause theexplosion by the detonating unit. Consequently, the trigger mechanismsof the prior art devices normally do not include a time delay mechanism.Furthermore, no prior art device has trigger means which can be operatedeither instantaneously or after a predetermined period of time.

In view of the foregoing state of the prior art, one of the objects ofthe present invention is a toy detonating unit which has trigger meansoperated either instantaneously or after a predetermined period of time.

Another object of the present invention is a toy detonat ing unit whichhas trigger means adapted to be operated by a very slight force beingexerted thereon.

Another object of the present invention is a toy detonating unit havingtrigger means including a time delay release means incorporating asimple, rugged structure.

Still another object of the present invention is a toy detonating unitwhich is simple and inexpensive and adapted to be manufactured on a massproduction basis.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readilyapparent from the following description and drawings which illustrate apreferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In general, the present invention involves a toy detonating unit adaptedto have its trigger means operated either instantaneously or after apredetermined period of time. Such toy detonating unit comprises afiring means for detonating an explosive charge by rapid movement fromits retracted position to its extended position. Operatively associatedwith the firing means is a trigger means for initiating the operation ofsaid firing means. The trigger means includes a lever pivotally mountedadjacent the firing means and having a first position adapted tomaintain the firing means in a retracted position and to permit itsinstantaneous release therefrom. A-lso adjacent the firing mean-s is atime delay release means which is adapted to hold the lever in a secondposition for a predetermined period of time. The lever in said secondposi tion is adapted to maintain the firing means in a retractedposition when the lever is engaged With the time delay release means.

In order to facilitate understanding the present invention, referencewill now be made to the appended drawings of a preferred specificembodiment of the present invention. Such drawings should not beconstrued as limiting the invention which is properly set forth in theappended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention showing the firing means in its retracted lock position.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional View of the toy detonating unit of FIG. 1taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the firing means in itsretracted ready position and the lever portion of the trigger means inits first position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along the lines 33 ofFIG. 1 showing the firing means in its retracted ready position and thelever portion of the trigger mean-s in its second position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the lines 4-4 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the lines 55 ofFIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the toy detonating unit of the presentinvention includes, generally, a firing means 11 and a trigger means 50.The firing means 11 is adapted to detonate an explosive charge I12, suchas a stack of caps, by rapid movement from its retracted position to itsextended position. The toy detonating unit 10 includes a cylindricalhousing .13 with an end wall 14 at its first end. In the side wall 15 ofthe cylindrical housing '13 is an L-shaped slot 16 whose long leg 17extends parallel to the axis of the housing 13 and whose short leg -18extends perpendicular to the long leg 17 adjacent the end wall 14. Theshort leg 18 of the slot 16 has a shoulder 19 which insures that the lug23 does not accidentally slip out of the short leg I18 when positionedtherein.

Enclosed in the housing 13 is the striking means 20 of the firing means11. Striking means '20 includes a helically coiled spring 21 bracedagainst the end wall 14. A hammer 22 is attached to the free end of thespring 21 and is slidably mounted in the housing -13. The hammer 22includes a lug 23 which extends outside the housing 13 and is slidablymounted in the L-shaped slot 16. The hammer '22 also includes a hammerhead 24 which is adapted to be received in a pocket 35 of the anvil 34as set forth below. The lug 23 is adapted to maintain the properorientation of the hammer head 24 with respect to the anvil pocket 35.Thus,if the anvil pocket 35 and the hammer head 24 both have, forexample, a rectangular shape as shown, then the lug 23 prevents circularrotation of the hammer head 24 when it approaches the anvil pocket 35and insures that it is therein to explode the charge '12. Along itslength of the hammer 22 has a pair of spaced shoulders 25 and 26. Thefirst of the said shoulders 25 is more remote from the anvil 34 than thepivot connection 52 of the lever 51, and the second shoulder 26 iscloser to the anvil 64 than the lever pivot connection 52 when thefiring means .111 is in its retraoted position.

At the second end of the housing 13 is positioned the receiving means 30which includes an opposing pair of spaced flanges 31 in the housing 13,each having a port 32 therein. Slidably mounted in ports 32perpendicular to the axis of the housing 13 is an anvil 34 having apocket 35 adapted to receive the hammer head 24. The width of the pocket35 has substantially the same width as the caps being inserted therein.Thus the caps wedge into the anvil and are held there. In this way, aroll of caps can be folded into a stack and held as easily as a singlecap. The receiving means 30 also includes stop means adapted to permitthe anvil 34 to slide out of the housing so that the pocket 35 may beloaded without becoming detached from the housing 13 and to permit theanvil 34 to be positioned within the housing with the pocket 35 alignedwith the hammer head 24. The stop means 40 includes a lip 41 on theanvil 34 which strikes the edge 42 of the first port 32a to prevent thecomplete removal of the anvil 34 from the housing 13. Similarly, the lip41 strikes the edge 43 of the second port 32b to prevent insertion ofthe anvil 34 too far into the housing 13. In addition, the anvil 34 hasa spaced pair of mounds 44 projecting from its longitudinal side 36which are adapted to receive the bosses 37 of the ports 32there'between. Such arrangement substantially locks the anvil 34 eitherinto alignment with the hammer head 24 or in its extended position.

Operatively associated with the firing means 11 is a trigger means 50for initiating the operation of said firing means. The trigger means 50includes a lever 51 mounted adjacent the firing means 11 on the centralportion of the housing 13 by means of a pivot connection 32. The pivotconnection 52 includes a pair of pins 53 extending from opposite sidesof the lever 51 and rotatably mounted in holes 54 in a spaced pair ofears 55 extending from the side of the housing 13. Extendinglongitudinally in the side wall 15 of the housing 13 between the ears 55is a notch 56. The notch 56 and the pivot connection 52 are positionedadjacent the striking means 20 of the firing means 11 when it is in itsretracted position.

The lever 51 has a boss 60 thereon for maintaining the firing means 1-1in its retracted position. When the lever 51 is adjacent the firingmeans 11, a boss 60 engages the first shoulder 25 of the hammer 21 byinsertion into notch 56. In such position, the first shoulder 25 of thefiring means 11 biases the lever 51 to move towards the firing means 11,since the engagement of the shoulder 25 with the boss 60 tends to causethe lever 51 to rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2.However, preferably the boss 60 has a curved cam surface 61 againstwhich the shoulder 25 rests when it is engaged with the boss 60. Thus,rotation of the lever 51 in a counterclockwise direction is facilitatedby the riding of the hammer shoulder 25 on the cam surface 61.Furthermore, the lever 51 may be positioned in a range of positionswhose limit is represented by the corner 62 of the boss 60. Thus, thelever 51 may be positioned so that the hammer shoulder -25 restsadjacent the corner 62 and only a very slight force is required to movethe lever 51 so that the hammer 22 slips past the boss 60.

The lever 51 includes a pair of opposing ribs 57 along its length toincrease its strength in rigidity. Furthermore, the lever 51 has a hook63 adjacent its outer end which is adapted to facilitate the attachmentof a string or wire to the lever 51. Thus, when the lever 51 is in itsfirst position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a string may be attached tothe hook 63 to permit the tripping of the trigger mechanism 50 by meansof pulling such string.

The lever 51 also has a knob 65 thereon which is adapted to maintain thefiring means 11 in its retracted position when the lever 51 is engagedwith the time delay release means 70. The knob 65 is adapted to bereceived in the notch 56 when the lever 51 is in its second position, asshown in FIG. 3. In such position, the knob 65 is engaged with thesecond shoulder 26 of the hammer 22 and is adapted to bias the lever 51to rotate away from the firing means 11 in a clockwise direction.

Mounted adjacent the firing means 11 is a time delay release means 70which is adapted to hold the lever 51 in its second position adjacentthe firing means 11 for a predetermined period of time. The time delayrelease means 70 includes a cage 71 mounted on the second end 19 of thehousing 13 adjacent the receiving means 30. The cage 71 has an aperture72 in its side wall 73 through which a latch means 74 extends. The latchmeans'74 includes an arm 75 with a bore 76 adjacent its free end. Thebore 76 receives the free end 58 of the lever -1 when the lever 51 isengaged with the time delay release means 70. Preferably, the free end58 of the lever 51 has a cam surface 59 which engages the walls of thebore 76 and facilitates the disengagement of the lever 51 from the bore76. Furthermore, the reaction of the bore Walls to the cam surface 59 ofthe lever 51 urges the arm 75 upwardly. Such action tends to shorten theperiod of time over which the time delay release opcrates.

Forming the wall of the cage 71 adjacent the housing 13 is a disk 80having a smooth surface 81. Loosely mounted within the cage 71 adjacentthe disk 80 is a suction cup $55 which is adapted to be pressed intoengagement with the smooth surface 81 of the disk 80 and to disengageslowly therefrom. Such disengagement is preferably achieved by means ofa nylon thread 86 which extends from the interior of the cup to itsexterior and is adapted to act as a controlled leakage of air into thesuction cup. The leak-age of air into the suction cup determines theperiod of time delay and can be controlled by the size and length of thethread 86 and, if necessary, additional threads may be utilized.Alternatively, the controlled leakage may be accomplished by means of achannel (not shown) in the surface 81 of the disk 80 which extends fromthe interior to the exterior of the suction cup 85.

Attached to the top of the suction cup is a cap 87 which extends througha second aperture 77 in the top of the cage 71. The cap 87 is attachedto the suction cup 85 preferably by means of fingers 88 extendingupwardly from the suction cup 85 and engaged in recesses 89 in the cap87. Preferably, the fingers 88 have a plurality of ridges 90 thereon toinsure engagement between the cap 87 and the suction cup 85.

To operate the toy detonating unit 10, the firing means 11 may be set ina locked retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, by sliding thelug 22 along the long leg 17 of the L-slot 16 towards the first end Wall14 of the housing 13 and then wedging it by rotation into the short leg18 of the L-slot 14. Such retraction of the hammer 22 compresses thecoiled spring 21 adjacent the first end wall 14 of the housing 13 andholds the hammer 22 relatively secure. If it is then desired to operatethe firing means 11 by instantaneous operation of the trigger means 50,the lever 51 may then be rotated into its first position, as illustratedin FIG. 2. in such position, after the lug 23 has been rotated back intothe long leg 17 of the L-slot 16, the boss 60 engages the first shoulder25 of the hammer 22 and prevents the-operation of the firing means 11.Furthermore, the 'force exerted on the boss 60 by the hammer shoulder 25tends to bias the lever 51 towards the firing means 11 so that the lever5-1 remains adjacent to the firing means '11. The lever 51 then may berotated by an external force in a counterclockwise direction to initiatethe operation of the firing means 11. For example, a string may beattached to the hook 63 of the lever 51 and stretched across a walkwaywhich is desired to be protected. The person walking along the walkwaywould then trip such string and initiate the operation of the firingmeans 1-1. When the lever 5-1 is rotated counterclockwise, the shoulder25 slips past the boss 60 and permits the hammer 22 to move rapidly fromits retracted position to its extended position. The hammer head 24 isthen received in the pocket 35 of the anvil 34 in the form of a suddenimpact which detonatesthe explosive charge 12.

After the explosive charge is detonated, the hammer 22 may then beretracted to its locked retracted position as set forth above. The anvil34 may then be projected from the housing 13 by pushing on its endadjacent port 32b causing it to slide out the opposite port 32a whilethe stop means 40 prevents the anvil 34 from becoming detached from thehousing 13. In such projected position, the pocket 35 may be emptied anda new explosive charge 12 inserted. The anvil 34 may then berepositioned in the housing 13 with the pocket 35 aligned with the axisof the housing 13 due to the stop means 40, as set forth above.Preferably, the anvil 34 has recesses 36 to facilitate grasping itduring its charging operation.

Alternatively, if it is desired to initiate the operation of the firingmeans 11 after a predetermined period of time the knob 65 of the lever51 is engaged with the second shoulder 26 of the hammer 22 after the lug23 has been aligned in the long leg 17 in the L-slot 16. Simultaneously,the cap 87 is pressed so that the suction cup 85 engages the disk 80.Such engagement causes the bore 76 of the arm 75 to engage the free end58 of the lever 51 and hold the lever 51 adjacent the firing means 11.The pressure on the cap 87 is then removed and the toy detonating unitis placed in its desired position. After the release of the pressure onthe cap, air leaks into the suction cup 85 by means such as the thread86 and such leakage gradually causes the suction cup 85 to disengagefrom the disk 80. Such disengagement in turn causes the cap 87 and thearm 75 mounted thereon to move away from the end of the housing 13 andthus permits the free end 58 of the lever 51 to slip out of the bore 76.Such disengagement is aided by the action of the cam surface 59 of thelever 51 on the arm 75, since the hammer 22 tends to cause the lever 51to rotate in a clockwise direction and exert force on the arm 75. Whenthe suction cup 85 disengages completely from the surface 80, the freeend 58 of the lever 51 is released from the bore 76 in the arm 75 andthe lever 51 is free to rotate in a clockwise direction. Such rotationpermits the hammer 22 to move rapidly to its extended position anddetonate the charge 12 in the anvil pocket 35.

Many other specific embodiments of the present invention will be obviousto one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. For example, asset forth above, a variety of means may be utilized to permit thecontrolled leakage of air into a suction cup portion of the time delayrelease means. Similarly, the boss and knob on lever portion of thetrigger means may be a single projection if a ball and socket connectionis used to connect the lever to the housing to permit rotation of thelever about its axis.

There are many features in the present invention which clearly show thesignificant advance the present invention represents over the prior art.Consequently, only a few of the more outstanding features will bepointed out to illustrate the unexpected and unusual results attained bythe present invention. One feature of the present invention is that thetrigger means of the toy detonating unit is adapted to operate eitherinstantaneously or after a predetermined period of time. Thus, thetrigger means of the present invention can be pivoted to a firstposition wherein a boss holds the firing means in a retracted positionand it may be pivoted into a second position wherein a knob holds thefiring means in its retracted position. In such first position, theoperation of the trigger means is initiated simply by causing rotationof the lever by such external forces as a trip wire. Alternatively, theoperation of the trigger means in the second position is initiated by atime delay release means. Another feature of the present invention isthat the operation of the trigger means in its first position may beinitiated by a very slight force, since the engagement between thetrigger means and the firing means is a cam surface which facilitatesthe release of the rotation of the operation of the firing means. Stillanother feature of the present invention is the utilization of a simpletime delay release means whose time period is partially controlled bythe force the firing means exerts on the trigger means.

It will be understood that the foregoing description and examples areonly illustrative of the present invention and it is not intended thatthe invention be limited thereto. All substitutions, alterations andmodifications of the present invention which come within the scope ofthe following claims or to which the present invention is readilysusceptible without departing from the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure are considered part of the present invention.

I claim: 5 1. A simple, inexpensive, toy detonating unit adapted to haveits trigger means operated either instantaneously or after apredetermined period of time, comprising:

(a) movable firing means for detonating an explosive charge by rapidmovement from a retracted position to an extended position; and

(b) movable trigger means operatively associated with said firing meansfor releasing said firing means including (I) a lever pivotally mountedadjacent and movable relative to said firing means, said lever havingmeans thereon for releasably engaging and holding said firing means inits retracted position when said lever is in a first position and topermit its instantaneous release therefrom upon movement of said leverand (II) a time delay release means mounted adjacent said firing meansand adapted to hold said lever in a second position for a predeterminedperiod of time and then release the same, the lever having further meansthereon adapted to hold said firing means in its retracted position whensaid lever is in said second position and held therein by said timedelay release means.

2. A toy detonating unit as stated in claim 1 wherein said firing meanscomprises:

(a) a striking means including a hammer and spring,

saidspring biasing said hammer for rapid movement from said retractedposition to said extended position; and

(b) a receiving means including an anvil positioned to determine theextended position of said hammer and adapted to receive and position anexplosive 0 charge to be struck by said hammer at said extendedposition.

3. A simple, inexpensive toy detonating unit adapted to have its triggermeans operated either instantaneously or after a predetermined period oftime, comprising:

(a) a firing means for detonating an explosive charge by rapid movementfrom its retracted position to an extended position, including (I) ahammer and spring, said spring being adapted to bias said hammer forrapid movement from said retracted position to said extended positionand (II) an anvil positioned to determine the extended position of saidhammer and adapted to receive and position an explosive charge to bestruck by said hammer at said extended position;

(b) trigger means operatively associated with said firing means forinitiating the operation of said firing means, said trigger meansincluding (I) a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said firing means, saidlever having a boss thereon for maintaining said firing means in aretracted position when said lever is in a first position and permittinginstantaneous release thereof upon movement of said lever, and

(II) a time delay release means mounted adjacent said firing means andadapted to hold said lever in a second position for a predeterminedperiod of time and then release the same, said lever having a knobthereon engaging and maintaining said firing means in its retractedposition when said lever is held in said second position by said timedelay release means.

4. A toy detonating unit as stated in claim 3 wherein 75 said anvil hasa pocket having a width such that when an explosive charge of the samewidth is placed therein said explosive charge is wedged and held inposition.

5. A simple inexpensive toy detonating unit comprismg:

(a) movable firing means for detonating an explosive charge by rapidmovement from a retracted position to an extended position; and

(b) movable trigger means for releasing said firing means comprising alever pivotally mounted adjacent and movable relative to said firingmeans and having holding means thereon adapted to engage and hold saidfiring means in its retracted position and to permit its instantaneousrelease therefrom upon movement of said lever, said lever having two ofsaid holding means thereon arranged so that said firing means may beretained in its retracted position with said lever in either of twopositions, one of said holding means comprising a boss on said lever andso arranged that said firing means will bias said lever toward saidfiring means by engagement with said boss.

6. A toy detonating unit as stated in claim wherein said firing meanscomprises:

(a) a striking means including a hammer and spring, said spring beingadapted to bias said hammer for rapid movement from said retractedposition to said extended position; and

(b) a receiving means including an anvil positioned to determine theextended position of said hammer and adapted to receive and position anexplosive charge to be struck by said hammer at said extended position.

7. A simple, inexpensive, toy detonating unit adapted to have itstrigger means operated either instantaneously or after a predeterminedperiod of time, comprising:

(a) firing means for detonating an explosive charge by rapid movementfrom a retracted position to an extended position; and

(b) trigger means operatively associated with said firing means forinitiating the operation of said firing means, said trigger meansincluding (I) a lever piovtally mounted adjacent said firing means, saidlever having a first position in which it is adapted to maintain saidfiring means in its retracted posit-ion and to permit its instantaneousrelease therefrom upon movement of said lever,

(II) a time delay release means mounted adajcent said firing means andadapted to hold said lever in a lever in *a second position for apredetermined period of time and then release the same, the lever insaid second position being adapted to maintain said firing means in itsretracted position when said lever is held by said time delay releasemeans;

(c) a boss on said lever for maintaining said firing means in aretracted position when said lever is in its first position, said bossbeing adapted to bias said lever towards said firing means by engagementtherewith; and

(d) a knob on said lever for maintaining said firing means in aretracted position when said lever is in its second position, said knobbeing adapted to bias said lever away from said firing means byengagement therewith.

8. A simple, inexpensive, toy detonating unit adapted to have itstrigger means operated either instantaneously or after a predeterminedperiod of time, comprising:

(a) firing means for detonating an explosive charge by rapid movementfrom a retracted position to an extended position; and

(b) trigger means operatively associated with said firing means forinitiating the operation of said firing means, said trigger meansincluding (I) a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said firing means, saidlever having a first position in which it is adapted to maintain saidfiring means in its retracted position and to permit its instantaneousrelease therefrom upon movement of said lever, and

(II) a time delay release means mounted adjacent said firing means andadapted to hold said lever in a second position for a predeterminedperiod of time and then release the same, the lever in said secondposition being adapted to maintain said firing means in its retractedposition when said lever is held by said time delay release means;

(0) said time delay means comprising a disk;

(d) a suction cup loosely mounted adjacent said disk,

said suction cup being adapted to be pressed into engagement with saiddisk and disengaged slowly therefrom; and

(e) latch means connected to said suction cup, said latch means beingadapted to hold said lever adjacent said firing means in said secondposition when said suction cup engages said disk and to release saidlever when said suction cup disengages from said disk.

9. A simple, inexpensive toy detcnating unit adapted to have its triggermeans operated either instantaneously or after a predetermined period oftime, comprising:

(a) a firing means for detonating an explosive charge by rapid movementfrom a retracted position to an extended position, including (I) ahammer and spring, said spring being adapted to bias said hammer forrapid movement from said retracted position to said extended position,and

(II) an anvil positioned to determine the extended position of saidhammer and adapted to receive and position an explosive charge to bestruck by said hammer at said extended position;

(b) trigger means operatively associated with said firing means forinitiating the operation of said firing means, said trigger meansincluding (I) a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said firing means, saidlever having a boss thereon for maintaining said firing means in aretracted position and permitting instantaneous release therefrom uponmovement of said lever when said lever is in a first position, and

(II) 'a time delay release means mounted adjacent said firing means andadapted to hold said lever in a second position for a predeterminedperiod of time and then release the same, said lever having a knobthereon for maintaining in said second position of said lever saidfiring means in its retracted position when said lever is held by saidtime delay release means;

(0) said time delay release means comprising a disk;

(d) a suction cup loosely mounted adjacent said disk, said suction cupbeing adapted to be pressed into engagement with said disk and todisengage slowly therefrom; and

(e) latch means connected to said suction cup, said latch means beingadapted to hold said lever adja cent said firing means in said secondposition when said suction cup engages said disk and to release saidlever when said suction cup disengages from said disk.

10. A simple, inexpensive toy detonating unit adapted to have itstrigger means operated either instantaneously or after a predeterminedperiod of time, comprising:

(a) a firing means for detonating an explosive charge by rapid movementfrom a retracted position to an extended position, including (I) ahammer and spring, said spring being adapted to bias said hammer forrapid movement from said retracted position to said extended position,and

(II) an anvil positioned to determine the extended position of saidhammer and adapted to receive and position an explosive charge to bestruck by said hammer at said extended position;

(b) trigger means operatively associated with said firing means forinitiating the operation of said firing means, said trigger meansincluding (I) a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said firing means, saidlever having a boss thereon for maintaining said firing means in aretracted position and permitting instantaneous release thereof uponmovement of said lever when said lever is in a first position, and

(II) a time delay release means mounted adjacent said firing means andadapted to hold said lever in a second position for a predeterminedperiod of time and then release the same, said lever having a knobthereon for maintaining in said second position of said lever saidfiring means in its retracted position when said lever is held by saidtime delay release means;

1% said hammer having a spaced pair of shoulders along its length, thefirst of said shoulders being more remote from said anvil than the pivotconnection of said lever adjacent said firing means and the second ofsaid shouldrs being closer to said anvil than said pivot connection,said first shoulder being adapted to be engaged by said boss and saidsecond shoulder being adapted to be engaged by said knob.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1962 Ayala46-196 4/1962 Lemelson 46196

1. A SIMPLE, INEXPENSIVE, TOY DETONATING UNIT ADAPTED TO HAVE ITSTIRGGER MEANS OPERATED EITHER INSTANTANEOUSLY OR AFTER A PREDETERMINEDPERIOD OF TIME, COMPRISING: (A) MOVABLE FIRING MEANS FOR DETONATING ANEXPLOSIVE CHARGE BY RAPID MOVEMENT FROM A RETRACTED POSITION TO ANEXTENDED POSITION; AND (B) MOVABLE TRIGGER MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATEDWITH SAID FIRING MEANS FOR RELEASING FIRING MEANS INCLUDING (I) A LEVERPIVOTALLY MOUNTED ADJACENT AND MOVAABLE RELATIVE TO SAID FIRING MEANS,SAID LEVER HAVING MEANS THEREOF FOR RELEASABLE ENGAGING AND HOLDING SAIDFIRING MEANS IN ITS RETRACTED POSITION WHEN SAID LEVER IS IN A FIRSTPOSITION AND TO PERMIT ITS INSTANTANEOUS RELEASE THEREFROM UPON MOVEMENTOF SAID LEVER AND (II) A TIME DELAY RELEASE MEANS MOUNTED ADJACENT SAIDFIRING MEANS AND ADAPTED TO HOLD SAID LEVER IN A SECOND POSITION FOR APREDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME AND THE RELEASE THE SAME, TO HOLD HAVINGFURTHER MEANS THEREON ADAPTED TO HOLD SAID FIRING MEANS IN ITS RETRACTEDPOSITION WHEN SAID LEVER IS IN SAID SECOND POSITION AND HELD THEREIN BYSAID TIME DELAY RELEASE MEANS.